Tale of Two Tails

Chapter 1

Yelling was heard outside the walls of the castle. The hunt was on. They had found one. It didn't take a genius to find out what it was. Demon. That was nothing new. The forest was full of them, not as many as there once was, but they killed at least one demon a week.

The prince sighed as he sat in his room, pale skin glistening in the moonlight from the water that clung to his skin from his previous bath, gray/blue eyes cold, thin eyebrows set in an eternal furrow, pale lips set in a frown, black hair styled oddly with an undercut. Wearing a simple white kimono with his black heko obi around his waist.

"Brother?" A quiet voice asked from the other side of his door. "May I come in?" The voice continued.

"Go nuts." He said, voice low and as cold as his eyes. The door opened to a young girl with hair as black as his, left down and went to her mid back, eyes the same shade of gray/blue, skin just as pale, expression just as cold. "What is it Mikasa?" She came in and sat in seiza.

"Why aren't you out chasing the demon with the other men?" The prince clicked his tongue.

"I just bathed. I don't want to become covered in fucking sweat. It's disgusting." His sister smiled softly, something her brother was unable to do.

"I understand. I prefer you stayed back. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you." She hugged him, but he didn't return the affection. "Sleep well tonight Brother. You will need to be up early to hear the report of the night's hunt." And she left, closing the door behind her. The prince looked out into his own, private garden.

Spring was coming to a close, the air was getting warmer. Cherry blossoms fell from the trees and landed over the ground while a few fell into the small pond, floating about like small boats on a lake. It looked as if it was raining pink flowers, and the prince would have admired the sight and found the pure beauty of it, if he didn't have to clean them up the next day.

He went over to his bed and settled down to sleep. As he went to sleep, he thought he heard a sound, like an animal whimpering, but dismissed it as he continued to sleep. The hunters would surely get it if it was dangerous. They were capable and never let a demon out of their clutches.

The next morning, the worst news was delivered at the meeting.

"What do you mean you let the demon get away!" The emperor roared, obviously infuriated.

"My Lord, we followed the beast all over the forest and around the castle, but then it seemed as though the trees came to life. I believe this is a demon of great power. And though we may not have captured it, one of my men wounded it. If we may, we would like to return to the hunt as soon as possible. We don't know what the demon is capable of, or if it has healing abilities." The emperor scowled.

"You may go. And when you return, you better have the demon's head!" And the room emptied. "Incompetence. I'm surrounded by incompetence." The prince sighed as he stood.

"There is nothing we can do Father. If the demon is of great strength, wouldn't it be in our favor to find a way to make peace with it, or find a way to control it." His father turned to him.

"Control a demon? That is unheard of."

"Yes Father. But if we were able to control it, and use the demon to our advantage, we'd be able to use it for war. It would increase our land's military power, and would be a weapon that no other land would have." His father was quiet, thinking this over, before smiling.

"I see your point son. You have a great mind and will make an excellent emperor." The prince bowed.

"Of course. I'm not worthy of your praise." And he was dismissed. As soon as the prince was out of earshot he sneered. "Damn fool. Feed his ego and promise war benefits and he'll do anything." His sister was walking towards him.